Is Guinness Actually Good For You?

Jeff

Guinness is probably one of the most popular things that ever came out of Ireland. It is considered one of the best beers in the world. Sure, it definitely tastes great, but is Guinness really good for you? With the beer’s manufacturer’s latest move, now you can tell if this very popular alcoholic beverage is indeed good for your body.

Alcohol manufacturers in countries that are members of the European Union are exempted from listing the nutritional information of their products. However, Diageo, the company behind Guinness, has decided to break the mould and become the first alcohol company to start labelling its products with nutritional information.

According to company officials, Diageo will start voluntarily detailing the nutritional content on drinks, subject to local regulatory approval.

The company is also hoping to develop a “standard alcohol unit” across all EU member states because the current method of listing nutritional information by 100ml would be “misleading” for alcohol.

“Providing information on the amount of alcohol per serve helps consumers understand how much they are drinking.

This could help reduce the misuse of alcohol – a goal shared by regulators, consumer organisations, health professionals and alcohol companies alike,” Diageo said in a statement.

The company, expecting that they can introduce the measures faster in the United States and elsewhere than in the EU, added that they made the move for the sake of drinkers who want to know what exactly they are drinking.

“Currently, there is no obligation to provide such information in markets worldwide, but we know that consumers are increasingly discerning about what’s in their glass,” it said.

Guinness was previously marketed as “good for you” because of its high iron content. It was even prescribed by doctors to pregnant women. A recent study also suggested that drinking Guinness could have a similar effect as taking a low dose of aspirin.

Arthur Guinness is the man behind this hugely popular alcoholic drink. He started brewing Guinness in the late 1750s at St James Gate Brewery in Dublin. Today, Guinness is one of the most successful beer brands in the world.

It is brewed in almost 60 countries and is available in over 120. It was said that a total of 850 million litres of Guinness are being sold every year. Will it stop you from drinking a Guinness? Doubtful :)